By Kelly Garrison
Features Editor There’s a new kind of radio wave in town, making ripples in the ocean with a 28-foot-long sailboat just off of the coast. Long Beach resident and radio personality Louis Simmons has taken his online music station out to sea, where he says he will launch what he calls a one-of-a-kind broadcasting experience within the next couple of months. His Smooth Jazz Beach Radio, he said, will fuse the sounds of jazz with the lifestyle of many of its listeners. “Our broadcasting office is from my apartment in Long Beach on Ocean Boulevard,” he said. “I see the bay and the boats and everything in that view gave me the idea to get into broadcastingÉ I took a look back and saw what resources were available, and went for this idea.” He thought of moving his service offshore after receiving an e-mail comment from a listener who said his station sounded similar to other area radio stations. From his new broadcasting center in Shoreline Village, he said he plans to interview guest music artists and travel around to play music at several Long Beach venues. “Airing on the water, although it won’t give us any magical powers, will give us just the edge of a difference our station needs to get the listeners,” Simmons said. Launching the sailboat-based station, he said, also will give him the opportunity to pursue one of his long-time interests. “I’ve always loved sailing, and now this is a chance to get into it,” he said. “I’m hoping that in a few years, the radio station becomes a full-on part of Long Beach and a known sector in the jazz community.” Simmons said he hopes to gain listeners and support through everything including advertising on his boat sails. “We’re hoping to get local and worldwide sponsors for the show,” he said. “There are so many young and upcoming artists, and since I’ve launched, I’ve gotten albums from here and from all over the world. I’m also hoping to get the boating industry into the station. I’ve got some great ideas.” The station was created last summer and plays over the Web site at www.smoothjazzbeachradio.com as well as iTunes podcasts. “I really enjoy it, because I have a great ear for hearing new music and for new discoveries,” Simmons said. “I like sharing that with everybody. It’s about promoting great music.” | 
